UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 9, 2008

 

Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 297-0010

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o  Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

Item 4.01          Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

On September 9, 2008, Baum & Company, P.A. resigned as Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s (the “Company”) principal accountants.

 

The report of Baum & Company, P.A. on the Company’s financial statements for the past fiscal year did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, or was qualified or modified as to audit scope or accounting principles.   During the Company’s most recent fiscal year and any subsequent interim period up to and including the date of the resignation of Baum & Company, P.A., there have been no disagreements with Baum & Company, P.A. on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Baum & Company, P.A. would have caused them to make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such periods.

 

On September 9, 2008,  the Company provided a draft copy of this report on Form 8-K to Baum & Company, P.A., requesting their comments on the information contained therein.  The responsive letter from Baum & Company, P.A. has been filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

On September 10, 2008, the Company engaged BDO Seidman, LLP (“BDO”) as its principal independent registered public accounting firm. The Company’s audit committee has approved the appointment of BDO as the Company’s new principal independent registered public accounting firm.

 

Prior to engaging BDO the Company did not consult with them regarding either:

 

1. the application of accounting principles to any specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered in the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report was provided to the Company nor oral advice was provided that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or

 

2. any matter that was either subject of disagreement or event, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv)(A) of Regulation S-K and the related instruction to Item 304 of Regulation S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is explained in Item 304(a)(1)(iv)(A) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 9.01.          Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)  Exhibits.

 

16.1   Letter on Change of Certifying Accountant

 

2

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated:  September 15, 2008
	SYNERGY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Gary S. Jacob
	Gary S. Jacob, Ph.D.
	President and Acting Chief Executive Officer

 

3